Career

Wieczorek-Zeul is a prominent figure of the Social Democrats' left
wing and is often called "Red Heidi". From 1974 to 1977, she
was the Jusos' chair which is the youth
organisation of the SPD (Young Socialists)[1].

After the resignation of party leader Björn Engholm
in 1993, she stood for the Social Democrats' candidacy for the chancellor's office[2], but
lost to Rudolf
Scharping. Scharping won 40% of all votes cast by the party
members, Schröder 33% and Wieczorek-Zeul 27%.[3] It was
the first time (and so far only time) the party members were asked
to elect the new party leader.